It maybe sad or excessive but I have been compiling a safe operating checklist. I like check lists with being a private pilot also with a brain like a chicken and keep forgetting things.

Not finished yet or definitive.

“Crystal” Burrell Scenic Showman Engine.

Safety procedures.

1. Engine preparation.a. Engine is chocked and brakes are on.b. Verify ashpan is clean, if not clean.c. Verify fire bars are clear and serviceable.d. Visually inspect firebox for distortion or foreign objects.e. Inspect fusible plug for serviceability and signs of melting. f. Refit ashpan if required.g. Clean fire hole door rails of residue.h. Inspect water sight glass for serviceability and clarity.i. Confirm fire tubes are clear and clean. If not rectify.j. Inspect smokebox, clean if required.k. Inspect chimney, blast pipe and blower pipe for blockages, clean if required.l. Confirm that clack valves for steam injector and mechanical pump are FULLY open. (Mark is at right angles to the boiler for open).m. Confirm all washout plugs are in place.n. Fill boiler to 2/3 glass on flat ground.o. Check tank balance pipe valve is open.p. Fill water tanks to full and verify on tender level gauge.q. Open drain on sight glass and confirm water runs out. r. Close valves on sight glass and confirm water does not continue.s. Cycle blow down valve to check clear.t. Confirm plug in smokebox in place.u. Open cylinder drain cocks.v. Confirm out of gear and gear change levers are locked.w. Turn engine over 10 revolutions in each direction using the flywheel. Confirm motion is free to move and serviceable.x. Confirm blower and steam injector valves are closed.y. Check function of Reverser. Confirm Reverser is in central position when finished.z. Check function of Regulator. Confirm Regulator is closed when complete.aa. Confirm Safety valves are clear of all obstructions.bb. Check surrounding area is clear of danger and combustible or explosive substances before proceeding to Lighting up.

2. Lighting up.a. Check Fire extinguisher equipment easily accessible and within specification.b. Check First Aid kit easily accessible.c. If possible set engine face in to wind.d. Damper full open.e. Extension chimney attached.f. Heat proof gloves at hand.g. Check availability of lubrication supplies.h. Ready supply of kindling and coal.i. Confirm boiler water level is correct before proceeding.j. Configure fire and ignite.k. Monitor fire.l. Oil up.m. Polish up. “Hot” bits first.n. Check for pressure.o. Confirm water level has not changed. If so you have a leakp. Once pressure has passed 20psi check:-i. Blowdown valve function.ii. Sight glass blowdown function.iii. Inspect all valves and fittings for leaks.q. At 40psi open blower to assist in fire management and steam building if needed.r. Remember you will start using water from now on. CHECK water level very regularly.s. Periodically operate reversing lever and regulator to warm the cylinders. Operating the drain valves as required. Turn the engine over slowly to get oil flowing.t. Once suitable pressure reached i. Perform blowdown test on the water gauge.ii. Test steam injector and mechanical water pump. Observe water level rising.u. Build pressure and allow safety valves to lift to check function.v. Visually check for leaks.w. Run engine slowly to confirm free movement of all parts.x. Engine now ready for service.

3. Operating and Running.a. Engine will be operated and run in a safe manner at all times.b. Any questions or doubt must be addressed to the engine owner immediately. Be prepared to drop the fire. c. Designated driver will always be confirmed.d. Positive handover of designated driver must be performed if you intend to leave the engine.e. It is the designated driver’s responsibility for the care of the engine. Including water level and fire maintenance.f. No driver allowed on public roads without a valid driving license.g. No guest driver allowed without competent person in attendance at all times.h. 1st gear only to be used for guest drivers unless authorised by engine owner.i. Persons under 14 restricted to steering only. (Regulator requires strength to operate smoothly.)j. Gear change will only be performed when stationary and mechanical breaking applied.k. Gear locking pins must be in place at all times.l. If operating on public highway. i. Official number plates must be shown front of engine and rear of last item in train.ii. Tax disc must be on display.iii. Abbreviated details of Insurance must be carried.m. All trailer pins must be secured with “R” clips if passengers carried.

4. Emergency Procedure.a. In the event of running out of water or excessively low water in the boiler is detected OR ANY OTHER emergency. The fire must be immediately dropped.i. If possible move engine to a non-flammable surface.ii. Clear surrounding area of engine. All non-essential persons to be at a safe distance.iii. Using the heat resistant gloves. Remove the four “R” clips around the ashpan and allow the ashpan to drop to the ground. You may have to assist the ashpan drop.iv. Once ashpan is on ground. IMMEDIATELY move the engine or ashpan clear.v. If there is danger in leaving the fire on the ashpan. Extinguish the fire.vi. If there is pressure in the boiler use the injector or pump to replenish the boiler water level if possible.vii. If no water available. Close the bottom sight glass valve and open sight glass blowdown valve to release pressure. STAY CLEAR of engine until ALL pressure released.viii. If not already extinguished. Extinguish the fire. ix. Leave sight glass upper and blowdown valves open.x. DO NOT reset fire until inspection by qualified engineer or engine owner.

5. End of steam session.a. Engine parked on level ground.b. Mechanical brakes applied and chocks in place.c. Ashpan cleaning tray in place.d. If fire still going. i. Remove chocks and loosen off brakes.ii. Drop ashpan on to cleaning tray.iii. Promptly move engine off fire. iv. Reapply brakes and chocks.e. Operate blowdown valve to clear deposits if required.f. Fill boiler to required level if pressure allows:-i. Steaming within1. Next 24 hours to 2 days. Just below full glass.2. 3 days or more. “Water wedge” the boiler. g. Allow remaining pressure to dissipate. Do NOT allow water level to drop below ½ glass.h. Clean engine and apply preservation oiling.i. Clean smokebox and chimney. j. Confirm blast and blower pipes are clear.k. Once firebox is cooled. Visually inspect for damage.l. Remove old fire from ashpan and clean.m. Dream of the next session.

I didnt want to appear rude but OCD springs to mind. My prelight procedure is

Is the old fire still in the pan, if so clear it.

Any water in the gauge, if not get about 1/2" or so in the bottom ( trust me having steamed with a quite full glass it expands and fills the boiler to the top and then takes about a 1 1/2 hours to get a head of steam )

When I'm able to steam meet up with me at a rally somewhere down here and you can spend as long as you like firing with me, if its a two day event I am almost certainly on my own for one of the days, people in doors can only cope with one day....

My abreviated list was written a bit tongue in cheek, Lynns list willl be a very good list to print off and check through the first few times, I can understand that for anyone new to this hobby there is a lot to think about & worry about. Well don't worry! STW will include, near the end of the build, an excellent set of instructions for steaming the first few times. Also, if you can, have an experienced friend to 'hold your hand' for the first time or take the engine to a club event. Little things will go wrong but nothing a bit of tinkering won't fix. Initially these are high maintenance engines until you've let everything settle down, got to know its little qwerks & let it run in................... then my list applies!

Would it be an idea to read the NTET Code of Practice? It has lots of useful information, many things you probably wouldn't think of, and gives some understanding behind why you're doing things, rather than just a check list.

There are 8 parts to it, all of which are under constant review:Part 1 - Operation and MaintenancePart 2 - Driving and Conduct on the Road and in Public PlacesPart 3 - Transport, Laying-Up and StoragePart 4 - NTET Written Scheme of ExaminationPart 5 - Mechanical InspectionPart 6 - RepairsPart 7 - Appeals and ArbitrationPart 8 - Records and Reports

Not all of it will be relevant to models, but the majority will. It's very comprehensive and has been written and re-written by a number of experienced engine owners over quite a long period of time!

It's all free for download (NTET Member or not). Look here: http://www.ntet.co.uk/owners-drivers/code-of-practice

Personally I like to know why I'm doing something, not just that I need to do it, so prefer this to a check list. if you want a check list I'd suggest you'd be wise to work from it, but after a couple of steamings and getting a good understanding of everything, you won't need one.

Sorry this is written under the Seddon & Black user name, I'm waiting for my personal account to be activiated.

You are right, have read a couple of books on it, and in one it talked about checking the connection between the smoke box and chimney as the author (i forget who) had had a chimney fall off during operation due to corrosion. Thats one that only comes from experiance!!